U.K.'s Channel 5 Takes 'Gotham'

Warner Bros.' new Batman origins TV series will air on the British broadcaster, which Viacom is in the process of acquiring

LONDON – U.K. broadcaster Channel 5 has acquired Warner Bros.’ new Batman origins TV show Gotham,which is scheduled to debut on Fox in the U.S. this fall.

The series, which tells the story of Gotham City pre-Dark Knight and stars Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Jada Pinkett Smith and Sean Pertwee, is set to air on the channel this fall.

Viacom is in the process of acquiring Channel 5.

“I don’t think there was a more exciting show at the L.A. screenings this year — Gotham is a thrilling drama built on iconic characters that fascinate,” said Channel 5’s head of acquisitions Katie Keenan. “Channel 5 is delighted to become the home of such a powerful, bold and visually stunning show. Its acquisition proves we continue to be committed to the biggest in U.S. drama.”

Elsewhere in the world, it has already been announced that Nine Network work will air Gotham in Australia, while CTV has acquired the broadcast rights for Canada.

In May, Viacom agreed to acquire Channel 5 for $760 million, its largest deal since 2006’s CBS Corp. split and the first time a U.S. company has agreed to buy a British free-to-air broadcaster.